Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed his gratitude to General Yakubu Gowon (retd), the former Head of State, for his efforts in securing Obasanjo’s release from prison during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha.
Obasanjo, who was imprisoned by Abacha’s military government over an alleged coup plot, spoke about the revelation during a visit to Plateau State over the weekend. He admitted he was unaware of Gowon’s personal intervention on his behalf until recently.
“I have to thank you specifically for this revelation. When I was released from prison, I had the opportunity to thank friends, both within and outside the country, who helped in appealing and praying for my release,” Obasanjo said. “But I did not know that you wrote a personal letter to Abacha until you mentioned it yesterday. I am deeply grateful for that.”
Earlier, Gowon had shared how he wrote a letter to Abacha, urging him to spare Obasanjo’s life. In his remarks, Gowon explained that he told Abacha in the letter that God had made him a leader to do good, not evil, and requested clemency for Obasanjo. He also mentioned that the letter was delivered to Abacha through his wife late at night, a moment that marked a turning point in Obasanjo’s fate.
Gowon expressed his joy that not only was Obasanjo released after spending three years in prison, but that he later went on to become Nigeria’s president in 1999 following Abacha’s death in 1998.
